The group of shopkeepers, farmers, public and private sector workers demanded the French state reverse increases in prices for the shipment of goods.

The 6,000 residents of the islands located to the south of the Canadian province of Newfoundland are heavily reliant on shipped goods, and already pay prices for food that are considerably higher than on mainland France or in Canada.

Both protestors and police were spending the night in the building after the territory's top official ordered the doors closed.